The always touring Igor and the Red Elvises will bring their newest evolvement to Northern New Mexico May 23, giving residents a taste of what has kept international audiences captivated for generations.
If Igor and Red Elvises aren’t in the middle of a tour, they are getting ready for the next one — this is a group that is constantly in motion and consistently evolving. Singer, songwriter, guitarist and showman Igor Yuzov is perpetually globetrotting and in the process, he has found scores of musicians to bring into the fold of this increasingly international party band.
The Red Elvises started as a Russian group, playing what they dubbed “Siberian Surf Rock.”
At various times, shows have included keyboards, accordions, sax, clarinet, trumpet, flute, banjo, mandolin, tuba and many other instruments.
Old and new fans alike can expect to be surprised at shows again and again, however the roots of Red Elvises remain the same: Igor’s brand of humor combined with guitar-based rock ’n roll that makes audiences want to sing, dance, scream and shout. German-born Yuzov grew up in the former Soviet Union, where folk music was the norm and rock ’n roll was illegal. As soon as it became possible, Yuzov left Russia for America with his folk band Limpopo.
The Red Elvises began in 1995 after Yuzov dreamed that Elvis Presley came to him and told him to start playing rock ’n roll. Not one to say no to the King, Yuzov and his Russian friends started playing on Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade.
Their street musician days did not last long, however, as they drew such huge crowds that the City of Santa Monica brought them to court and ordered them off the streets. Since then the Red Elvises have been constantly touring, with occasional breaks from the road to record an album or take part in film and television projects.
The performance will in the pavilion space of the KTAOS Solar Center, which has access to a full bar and restaurant opening daily at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for the all ages show. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free with an adult. In addition to advance ticket sales at KTAOS.com, tickets will be available at The KTAOS Solar Center.